Keeping homebuyers satisfied

Keeping homebuyers satisfied

Oct. 23, 2018

By Howard Bogach

If you’re buying a car for the first time, you’ll do your research – read reviews, talk to other owners of the brand you’re interested in and visit dealerships. But once you’ve made the purchase, your decision on whether to buy that brand again will be determined not only by the quality of the car itself but also by the purchase and after-sales experience.

It’s the same with a new home. If you are a builder, the relationship with your homebuyer may begin in the sales office but it lasts for the full seven years of warranty coverage and beyond. The goal is to have it be an experience that your buyer will want to repeat or recommend to family and friends.

An informed homebuyer has a greater likelihood of being a satisfied homeowner. Many new homebuyers have never bought a pre-construction home before so they rely on the expertise of the builder to help them through the process of choosing a floorplan, selecting finishes and making the countless other decisions required.

As the warranty authority, we have seen disputes arise from what is essentially a difference in expectations over something like tile or breakdowns in communication that could easily have been avoided with better follow-up.

This is where Tarion can help. Education is a key part of our mandate and we offer a variety of education sessions for builders that covers everything from best practices in customer service and Pre-Delivery Inspections to individualized workshops based on homeowners’ survey feedback.

We also offer specialized training on Builder Bulletin 19 and 49 for condo builders, as well as delayed closing and occupancy training.

Builders aren’t the only ones who can benefit from our training sessions. Tradespeople are key to a builder’s quality control and so we encourage builders to invite their trades to hands-on tutorials, like Understanding Tarion’s Construction Performance Guidelines, where, using a model home, Tarion staff walks attendees through how defects are measured and assessed for warrantability.

When warranty issues do arise, it’s important that both homeowners and builders understand how the process works. We have recently created a new warranty process guide that outlines all the steps in the claims process including at what points homeowners or builders can request dispute resolution assistance. This tool is available to builders via our BuilderLink portal and will be incorporated into our regular Tarion overview training sessions.

I often say that a new home is one of life’s biggest purchases – and we want to help builders ensure that buyers are satisfied with both the purchase and the ownership experience. Our Stakeholder Relations Representatives can deliver a variety of current education sessions for you and your trades/suppliers. Contact your representative to learn more about how they can be customized to your needs, or to book a session.

The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 1.75 per cent on Jan. 9, where it has been since October 2018, and is lowering its growth forecast this year for Canada and around the world.

It may be a new year, but not necessarily a happy one for everyone. A new CIBC poll finds paying down debt is the top financial priority for Canadians heading in 2019. Almost a third (29 per cent) say they've taken on more debt in the past 12 months, citing day-to-day expenses as the key reason for piling up debt.

Pantone’s 2019 Colour of the Year “Living Coral” can do almost anything, proving itself to be much more than just an accent colour. We sat down with Nicholas Rosaci, interior design expert and upcoming speaker at the 2019 GTA Home & Reno Show, to talk decor trends and learn how to incorporate this vibrant hue into our home for the upcoming year.

A team of volunteers from Great Gulf recently prepared and served food at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Toronto, by participating in the Home for Dinner program bringing smiles and a delicious, hot dinner to 150 people.

The GTA new home market saw more typical activity levels in November, both in new home sales and new project openings, after a relatively strong October, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) reports.

Luxury home builder and land developer, Kylemore Communities/Angus Glen Development, embraced the spirit of giving this season with a donation to benefit Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation and by hosting an annual Holiday Celebration for consultants, suppliers and staff.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.

Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.

BONE Structure has designed and patented a structural steel frame and insulation system that is the best integrator to build Net-Zero Energy custom homes. Using an integrated process inspired by the aerospace industry, we design and build high-performance, sustainable homes.

Created by fusion of exceptional design, superior quartz quality and cutting-edge technology, HansStone Quartz weaves together intriguing patterns and colours inspired by the diverse Canadian landscape.

More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.

Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.

Through our customer feedback, we have learned the importance of ‘service’. You said and we listened. We addressed your needs and improvised; bringing you services and quality no one in the industry offers.

Since 1989 Men At Work has specialized in renewing and enlarging older houses in core Toronto neighbourhoods. We are experts in managing the challenges of renovating sensitive old buildings into beautiful, functional, comfortable living spaces.

Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.

At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!

We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.

With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.

Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.

Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.

For over 170 years, STANLEY® has been synonymous with quality, reliability, innovation and value. From the “do-it-yourselfer” installing a ceiling fan to the professional contractor framing new homes, it’s a safe bet that Stanley has the right tool for the job.

Our furniture designs run from gracious to contemporary and everything in-between. That's why we can say, with complete confidence, "You'll find it here!" We're proud of the fact that no matter what your taste or budget - we've got furnishings and accessories that will suit your lifestyle - beautifully!